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Confident Holly in pole position for Euros

Holly Bleasdale has her sights on a gold medal when she competes in the European Indoor Championships in Gothenburg later this month.

The 21-year-old Blackburn Harrier has started to the season in fine form and beat Olympic silver medallist, Cuba’s Yarisley Silva, at the Birmingham Grand Prix on Saturday by clearing 4.70m.

It follows her world lead height of 4.77 in Sheffield last weekend.

Bleasdale from Chorley is now hoping to take that form to Gothenburg.

“I’m feeling so confident,” said the former Parklands High School pupil.

“I really want to go there and win a medal but in the back of my mind I really want to win gold.

“This is a great opportunity for me to go and get it so I’m really positive that I can do that.”

Bleasdale has a new coach in Dan Pfaff after finishing sixth in the Olympic Games and it is a decision that is beginning to pay off.

“I feel amazing, my run ups are so much more consistent,” said Bleasdale.

“I’m more consistent than I ever have been, I’m mentally strong at the minute.”

Bleasdale used a longer 4.6m pole for the first in competition for the first time in Birmingham “The changes I’ve made have paid off. Last year I would never have been able to go on to my bigger poles.

“I’ve never trained on them before and I just decided to give it a whirl and it’s worked, so far.”

Ipsoregulated

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